Breaking sports news from Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Kent Cricket and much more in Kent Sportsday
00:00, 26 March 2014
updated: 08:03, 26 March 2014
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17.00 - CLOSE
That brings the curtain down on another Kent Sportsday.
Scroll down to read any of the pieces we've put online during the day and join us from 08.00 on Thursday when we'll do it all again.
We've got some cracking stories which you won't want to miss.
16.45 - FOOTBALL
In the immediate future (see 16.25), Folkestone have got a pretty tasty game coming up this weekend.
Their trip to Leatherhead represents 2nd v 4th in Ryman League Division 1 South and you can read Invicta manager Neil Cugley's pre-match thoughts here.
16.25 - FOOTBALL
Big news involving Folkestone Invicta, who will now finish the regular season with a Friday night game.
Neil Cugley's side were due to travel to Guernsey on Saturday, April 26, but the Channel Islanders' home ground has already been "contracted to stage a competing sporting event on that day."
And with it being the last day of the season, kick-off couldn't be delayed as that would mean both sides knowing the results from elsewhere in Ryman League Division 1 South.
Folkestone chairman Mark Jenner has issued this statement:
"Despite strong protestations, the Department of Culture and Leisure have proved inflexible in accommodating the football fixture at the arranged time with the facility not being made available until after 5pm. Being the last game of the season the Ryman League have insisted that the kick-off time cannot be later than 3pm on that day in order to avoid giving either team the advantage of knowing what results have occurred elsewhere earlier in the afternoon.
"This problem was only brought to the attention of the Folkestone Invicta board during the course of the last week following which several options, including switching the fixture to the Fullicks Stadium, were discussed with GFC officials who put them to the Ryman League for approval. It was deemed not possible to switch the fixture to Folkestone, with the League ruling that the fixture must be either be played on the Friday evening preceding or on a neutral ground on the mainland on the Saturday.
"After discussions with the playing staff it has been agreed that the fixture will be played on Friday, April 25 at 7.45pm in Guernsey. We have taken the view that we exist to take part in sport and do not wish to be seen to be gaining a potential technical advantage by adopting an unsporting attitude."
16.00 - FOOTBALL
Hythe Town have now won six games on the bounce and I asked manager Scott Porter what's made the difference in recent weeks at Reachfields.
15.20 - GREYHOUNDS
There's more to sport than football, and for those who like a trip to the dogs, here's our weekly column from Crayford Greyhound Track.
Never be put off a greyhound because of a bookmaker's price
15.15 - VIDEO
The goalkeeper who scored from the edge of his own box last weekend has been speaking to us about that incredible goal.
Click here to read our interview with Tim Roberts and treat yourself to another look at the clearance which has quickly become a YouTube sensation.
14.45 - BREAKING
Maidstone United co-owner Oliver Ash has revealed details of his plans to expand the Gallagher Stadium.
Craig Tucker has the full story here.
14.40 - FOOTBALL
Breaking transfer news of interest to Gillingham and Whitstable fans.
14.30 - FOOTBALL
Want to find out the latest managerial news from Sittingbourne? Look no further than here.
14.05 - FOOTBALL
Danny Walder is set to re-join Tonbridge Angels from Herne Bay.
Speaking to Andrew Gidley, Bay manager Sam Denly revealed that two Ryman League clubs had made seven-day approaches for Walder, who's instead chosen to renew acquaintances with Tommy Warrilow at Longmead.
Herne Bay have, meanwhile, re-signed Calum McGeehan. The former Bay youngster had been playing for Lordswood on a dual-registration deal from Thamesmead Town.
LUNCHBREAK
Time to bring you the best of this morning's stories. To save you scrolling back down the page, here are some handy links to click while you eat your sandwiches.
Craig Fagan describes his winning goal at MK Dons
Peter Taylor hails an "outstanding result" for the Gills
Luke Cawdell's match report from stadiummk
Picture gallery by Barry Goodwin
Charlton score a late winner at Nottingham Forest
Six-goal thriller for Maidstone United
Tonbridge Angels slide into the relegation zone
Home defeat for Welling United
Tuesday night's Ryman League round-up
12.05 - FOOTBALL
Still basking in the glory of Gillingham's win at MK Dons last night? We are, too. Why not check out Barry Goodwin's pictures from the match in our gallery.
Click here to see the best of the action.
12.00 - FOOTBALL
Looking ahead to tonight...
11.25 - FOOTBALL
I've been speaking to Faversham Town manager Ray Turner about their bad-tempered clash with Merstham on Saturday.
Faversham lost the game 4-1 and had Brendon Cass sent off for retaliation, while two Merstham players saw red later in the game.
Turner said: "Scoreline-wise, it was a hard one to take. It turned into a very ugly match. Merstham wanted to turn it into a physical game and the referee ended up guessing which players were in the wrong.
"Brendon's not one for ill-discipline but I know he won't back down in terms of a physical game. The goalkeeper antagonised him by kicking the ball straight at Brendon from a yard away and Brendon reacted by grabbing him round the throat. All the players got involved after that."
10.50 - FOOTBALL
There were seven games featuring Kent clubs in the Ryman League last night.
Read our handy round-up to catch up on all the action.
10.30 - FOOTBALL
Dover Athletic's 1-0 loss to Farnborough last night was their eighth defeat at Crabble this season. Phil Page scored the winner three minutes from time.
Whites boss Chris Kinnear said: "It was a very disappointing result and performance - there is no doubt about it. But what is really important is that we must not let ourselves get too beat up about it - these things happen in football.
"All teams have games like this at any level they play. We must not forget that we have enjoyed a great run and we are still fifth and in the play-offs at this stage.
"The key is for us not to get to down about the performance or the result or it will become a problem. We must just move on and get on with it."
10.15 - FOOTBALL
Whitstable Town held promotion-chasing Hastings United to a 1-1 draw in Ryman League Division 1 South last night.
That point moved the Oystermen 10 clear of the drop zone.
Manager Nicky Southall said: "It's a month until the end of the season and we've still got 11 games to go. It's crazy. Our first objective is to ensure our safety in the division - it should only take a couple more wins - and then look to finish as high up the table as we can."
Reflecting on last night's game, he said: "We deserved to win really. I spoke to (Faversham boss) Ray Turner last week and he told me we could really do them a favour in their efforts to make the play-offs over the coming games. We'll try to get as many points as we can."
Southall also reported that Scott Heard might be able to play in Thursday night's trip to Merstham, despite having impressed during a week training with League 2 promotion-chasers Chesterfield this week.
"We're waiting to hear," Southall said. "He's a big player for us and we missed him on Tuesday."
10.05 - FOOTBALL
News, from my colleague Richard Harvey, of Deal Town's 3-0 win over Lordswood in Southern Counties East last night.
Deal had lost their previous two games and it needed a half-time roasting from manager Paul Murray to inspire his troops at the Charles Sports Ground.
Murray said: "I really ripped into them because their first-half performance was simply not acceptable in my book – no way was it.
"I told them they had 10 minutes to start improving or I would start making changes – you could say they took what I said on board.
"Sometimes you need to do it and this was one of those times it was needed. I didn’t hold back and it got the desired effect."
09.45 - FOOTBALL
It's not looking good for Tonbridge Angels in Skrill South. They lost 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Gosport Borough last night and they've dropped back in the relegation zone having now played more games than the two sides immediately above them.
09.40 - SCHOOL SPORT
The Kent School Games continue...
09.30 - FOOTBALL
Time for some Skrill Premier chat.
Matthew Panting was at Park View Road last night to see Welling United lose for the third time in four games, this time 2-0 to Braintree Town.
09.20 - FOOTBALL
Luke Cawdell spoke to Gills goalscorer Craig Fagan after the game at MK Dons last night.
Fagan revealed the near-empty stadium had helped him communicate with Cody McDonald for the move which led to Gillingham's winner.
09.00 - FOOTBALL
It was a good night for Charlton Athletic, who won 1-0 away to managerless Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
Jordan Cousins scored the only goal - click here for the match report and reaction from Addicks boss Jose Riga.
08.45 - FOOTBALL
Jack Parkinson scored twice last night as Maidstone United ended their six-game losing streak on the road with a dramatic 3-3 draw at Billericay.
08.30 - FOOTBALL
"It’s an outstanding result for us and one I am sure a lot of people didn’t expect and probably something we didn’t expect as well."
Click here for more Peter Taylor reaction to the win at MK Dons.
08.20 - FOOTBALL
It was a good night for this man...
08.00 - FOOTBALL
Good morning and welcome to Sportsday. What better place to start than Gillingham's 1-0 win at MK Dons last night?
Click here to read Luke Cawdell's match report.
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